The Innocents Abroad, 21st Century Version

The Innocents Abroad aka The New Pilgrims Progress by Mark Twain was published in 1867, after Twain accompanied a group of Americans to Europe and “the Holy Land.” Coincidentally, this itinerary was quite similar to our 9 month plan, starting in September 2023. I highly recommend reading the chapters on Paris; I was laughing out loud (this book is available as public domain so can be downloaded gratis).

Year one included Paris, Chamonix, India, Israel and San Sebastian and all posts are available.

Now my husband Andy and I are in year two. We are in Mexico City November and December, 2024 and will spend the winter in Saint Martin de Belleville, part of the Trois Vallees in the French Alps.

It continues to be quite a ride!

First Week in Paris

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Joan Taback Frankle

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Welcome to my blog and I promise to keep it short and sweet.

Embarking on our trip.

Lots of Luggage (in retrospect, should have brought only empty suitcases 😉)

Driving into Paris During Rush Hour

First of all hello and bienvenue! I want to explain my choice of title for this blog. It honors Mark Twain’s biography, The Innocents Abroad aka The New Pilgrims Progress. Twain published this in 1867, after taking a group of Americans to Europe and “the Holy Land,” which is quite similar to our 9 month itinerary. I highly recommend reading the chapters on Paris; I was laughing out loud (this book is available as public domain so can be downloaded gratis).

Enough about that! We have loved being here, not as tourists. No rushing from Museum to monument, although we went to Musée d’Orsay to buy a dual membership so we can take our time there (and share it with our visitors). I have many topics to share, and today I will focus on what we are seeing as we wander the neighborhoods.

Paris is sneaker city — the fashion footwear of the moment, which is very helpful to folks like us who walk out with little or no agenda.

No matter the temperature, women wear big scarves wrapped multiple times around their neck.

As back home, the temperature fluctuates in September. There are still those in linen and sandals but also denim jackets and lightweight down.

No leggings unless one is to or from the gym.

If hosiery, it is semi-sheer and black.

I have a ton of commentary about food, the markets and cuisine, but I will save that until after Yom Kippur as I do not want anyone to think about our adventure gastronomique when fasting. Wishing those of you who observe an easy fast. L’Shanah Tovah u’metukah, May this year be a time of sweetness and blessing for you and your families. A bientôt!

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